Telangana GoM finalises report, cabinet to discuss Thursday

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh Wednesday night finalized its report, which will come up before the union cabinet Thursday.

The GoM, which went into various issues related to bifurcation, finalized its recommendations at its final meeting in the national capital.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who headed the GoM, told reporters after the meeting that the GoM completed the task entrusted by the cabinet on Oct 3.

"These recommendations will come for discussion at the cabinet meeting tomorrow," he said.

The GoM is believed to have recommended formation of Rayala-Telangana state, comprising all 10 districts of Telangana and two districts of Rayalaseema.

The meeting attended by all GoM members finalized its report, which is also believed to have given special status to Hyderabad, which will serve as common capital of Rayala-Telangana and residuary state of Andhra Pradesh for 10 years.

The GoM has also recommended a package for Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) and suggested several measures for distribution of river water, electricity, revenues and liabilities between the two states.

While Congress Working Committee (CWC) and the union cabinet had resolved to carve out Telangana state comprising 10 districts, the GoM reportedly recommended Rayala-Telangana.

Telangana groups are opposing the proposal of Rayala-Telangana and have called for a shutdown in the region Thursday. The region witnessed massive protests Wednesday.

The GoM, however, is believed to have rejected the demand of Seemandhra leaders for union territory status to Hyderabad. It recommended certain measures to address the concerns of Seemandhra people living in Hyderabad.

The ministerial panel held wider consultations with various departments of the central government, political parties of Andhra Pradesh, and central ministers from the state. It also sought suggestions from the public.

The draft bill for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh is likely to be finalized by the cabinet after incorporating recommendations of the cabinet.

There is still no clarity on whether the bill would be tabled during the winter session of the parliament, beginning Thursday.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a member of the GoM, said efforts were being made to table the bill in the parliament as early as possible. He, however, declined to say anything on whether the bill would come up during winter session.